Où est le Moulin Rouge?

It's been two years, but I made it back...to Paris! I never thought I would get to see that magical city again, but I did once more and this time with friends who had never been.

Not only did I get to re-experience France, but I got to ride high in the sky on the beauty that is RyanAir. Okay, it is the cheapest way to fly throughout Europe, but their planes are so efficient and always leave on time--what more could you ask for? Also, on the plane, my friends and I met two guys from Texas who were also studying in England for a term. It was so nice to talk to people who were studying abroad like us and we shared some stories of our experiences in England. Very similar tales we'll have to tell when we get back to our families and friends. They were complete Southern gentlemen and really cool people to talk with.

When my friends and I landed in Paris, the four of us split into two pairs because we had separate agendas for the weekend. So, my travel buddy from the Bath and Stonehenge trip and I were now taking on Paris. (The other pair were going to make a trip to Disneyland to see what the European version had to offer.) After dropping our luggage off at the hostel--which was the least scary thus far--we headed to the Eiffel Tower. My first memory of the city was le Tour d'Eiffel and so was my friend's. Among our travels that weekend, we saw the Sacre Coeur Basilica, Arc de Triomphe, Opera House, Champs Elysee, Pere Lachaise cemetery, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Shakespeare and Company bookstore. What I love most about Paris is that no space is empty of art. Whether in a metro stations waiting under colored mosaic tiles, walking down a street adorned with unpredictably pleasant graffiti, or standing by an ordinary lamppost dignified by intricate craftiness, you can't escape the careful detail that artisans and craftspersons have poured into that magnificent city.

On our full day in Paris, Saturday, we were very fortunate to have perfect weather and we got to see everything on our agenda. Being blessed with a clean hostel and the fulfillment of our itinerary with gorgeous conditions, I couldn't be more thankful. The time we spent in Paris was approximately forty hours, so we didn't have much time to waste. And, the five years of French I took during school surprisingly came back to me for the essentials of asking for directions and speaking to waitresses and cab drivers which was nice. Chad and I only got extremely lost once, when we were looking for the infamous Moulin Rouge.

My favorite part of the trip was purchasing cliche souvenirs--a pink beret to match my scarf and a grey old man hat for Chad that a newspaper boy from the 1930s would have worn. We took cheesy photos by and on top of the Eiffel Tower at night to commemorate the occasion. Christmastime in Paris is as pretty as I imagined it would be. The Champs Elysee decked with garland and lights is nothing less than enchanting.

Now, I'm going to try to see Paris in spring and autumn...summer and winter are taken care of.

Peace.

Chester Calling

A lot has happened within the last two weeks. I have made more friends, did loads of traveling, and actually got papers written. My plan was to not make any new connections within the last weeks of being here as to not get too emotionally attached, thus making my departure even harder. But, you can always make new friends and there are hundreds of ways to keep in touch with them whilst you are temporarily away from one another.

In particular, I have made a good friend who is from the Chester area. Chester was not in my plans of weekend trips, but when the opportunity came to have another 'proper' night out and see a new town, I thought, "Sure, I've got enough work done to not feel guilty about taking off for the weekend."

Not knowing what to expect, except maybe another quaint town with a church and shopping center, I did not set my standards too high. But, upon arriving at the train station, I was immediately taken aback at how beautiful and charming Chester is. Usually the area right outside a train station is not anything to write home about--it is mostly run down and desolate. But, Chester has taken extra steps to woo one after setting one foot off the train.

The little English town has cobble stoned roads and a unique three-story shopping area that reminds me of an M.C. Escher sketch. A visitor cannot pass through the town without seeing the secret celebrity 'Balloon Man.' Also, a must for anyone new to the city is a little club known by locals as Rosie's. On the outside signage, the building reads 'RB's Night Club'; but, the regulars know the place as it once was--Rosie's--the way it was before it was bought and sold to another owner. Around every corner, I fell more and more in love with Chester. Each awning is carefully crafted and each building, beautifully fashioned to create the seemingly perfect town. Seriously, Ralph Lauren should have a photo shoot here, if he has not already.

Topping off the scene is a hidden park with the most adorable miniature train and squirrels and bunnies in abundance. The park overlooks and leads to the riverside where the water is full of classic, old boats used mostly for late-night dinners in the glistening moonlight. Honestly, I could not have dreamed up a cuter, cleaner, more perfect town.

One last surprise awaits on the highest point of the city which is University of Chester. In the prettiest town I have ever seen is not only a friendly, relaxed vibe, but also a place where I could complete my Masters Degree one day...I have a feeling I will be back here and it could be in as little as a year and a half to do just that.

Chester is a hidden gem in England--not a place many outside the country have heard of, but definitely a truly lovely borough, nestled in the country I have fallen in love with.

Peace.